• Some animals don’t do well in a shelter environment because they are frightened or need a little extra care.

• Newborn animals that need to be nursed or bottle-fed usually need foster care.

• Some animals need time to recover from an illness or injury before adoption.

Whatever the reason, these animals need some extra love and care before they can be adopted. Providing foster care for a few days, weeks, or months can be a lifesaving gift for an animal.

POSITION SUMMARY

A Foster Parent provides a safe, indoor only environment for an eligible cat, kitten or puppy, or fenced in yard for an adult dog. Puppies should be inside only unless SPCA has given permission for the puppy to be outside. All medical instructions by SPCA must be strictly followed.

There are two categories:

Category 1: Fostering kittens, puppies until they are old enough to be returned to SPCA to be spayed and neutered and put up for adoption.

Category 2: Animals kept in your home until adopted.

If you select this option the foster animals in your care that are eligible for adoption must be taken to Petco every Saturday, as scheduled with our volunteer coordinator. In addition, your email address will be listed on the animals bio at Petfinder.com so potential adopters may ask questions about the animal. NO person is to come to your home to see the animal, they are only to visit the animal at Petco or by appointment at the SPCA.

At Petco all dogs must be on leashes and cats in crates that will be provided by the SPCA. No animal is to be taken to Pet Co without permission from the SPCA.

DUTIES

• Provide shelter, food, litter and care to the animal. Food and litter may be available at certain times.

• Administer authorized medication and medical care as required for the foster animal.

• Must be available to make scheduled appointments at SPCA when shots are due.

• For animals being kept until adopted, market the animal by submitting regular updates and pictures to the SPCA, answer emails from interested adopters. (Note: All applications and adoptions will go through the SPCA, the decision on placement of the animals will be made by the SPCA not the foster. )

• Maintains an up-to-date medical and behavioral history for the SPCA.

• Notifies SPCA immediately of any medical issues.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Foster Parents must complete all application requirements before fostering.

• Fosters are expected to understand and uphold SPCA policies, including, but not limited to indoor only for cats and puppies, fencing for dogs.

• Fosters must also sign a Foster Contract with SPCA, defining their obligations.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Becoming a foster parent is not an easy job, and requires a serious commitment of both your time and effort. It is also a very rewarding experience, as you provide a temporary home for an animal and may be saving lives.

The following are required prior to becoming a foster:
• Completion of a foster application.
• A Vet Reference Form from your veterinarian
• If you rent your home, a signed letter from your landlord approving foster animals.
• A separate volunteer interview and foster training with one of our trained volunteers.
• A home visit.

To apply print and fill out the application below, then fax, email or bring it in to the adoption center.